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Nuggets' Lawson fails to pop

Point guard's numbers down after signing contract

By Benjamin Hochman The Denver Post

Posted:
12/08/2012 10:44:43 PM MST

Updated:
12/08/2012 10:44:46 PM MST

INDIANAPOLIS -- This is about pop. This is about those games when Ty Lawson just pops off the TV screen. When he's popping shots. When he pops opponents in the jaw. OK, yes, it's also about numbers -- the plump contract, the swooning scoring, the Dwight Howard-like free-throw percentage -- but it's more about controlling a game, Gretzky-like. Making an impact on seemingly every scoring possession. It's about pop.

And in the Nuggets 20 games so far, and one could argue that Lawson has had, like, three pop games. That's not many when you just signed a four-year, $48 million contract before the season started.

Asked about the pressure from friends and fans to live up to that contract, Lawson said, "People were expecting more. A lot more. And then my numbers weren't going like they should. They were just expecting more because I got paid more. I think I can do a little bit better."

Yes, the Nuggets have only played six games in the comfort of their home arena. And yes, Lawson's assists numbers are up this season, 7.0 compared to 6.6 last season. But Lawson's fluctuating aggressiveness is maddening to many, including coaches, at times.

After one of his "pop" games, a 32-point, seven-assist, five-steal performance last Wednesday at Atlanta, Lawson said, "That's how I need to play more often, just attacking, getting to the basket and being aggressive."

On Twitter, where passionate Nuggets fans unite like at a house party, there has been some consternation about the contract.

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Did Lawson lose some of his hunger since he's not playing for a contract anymore? Why isn't he more aggressive, game after game

From the Nuggets' standpoint, they felt they needed to lock in Lawson, or possibly risk losing him to a higher bidder next summer. And he's not just the future of the franchise -- he's the present. The Nuggets will win or lose this season because of Lawson, arguably more than any other player on the roster.

For the Nuggets to win big, Lawson needs to play like an all-star.

Denver's Melvin Hunt is a veteran assistant coach who has seen numerous players play for a contract or play following a big contract.

"You have to be pure in your thoughts and agenda -- it has to be team and winning," Hunt said. "And when you stick with that, and don't get caught up in the noise, it's easy. People will talk about the financial part of it, or the playing time, but when you're playing just to be playing basketball, when your intentions are pure, those are the results you're going to get. ... As for Ty, I stand behind this -- Ty's an all-star, he has all-star talent."

Lawson looked like an all-star against Atlanta. Since 1985-86, only Leandro Barbosa and Glen Rice have compiled a game with 32-or-more points, shooting 75 percent or better from the field, making five or more 3s and registering five or more steals. No, the Nuggets don't expect historic games every night.

Just more pop.

Lawson's scoring average of 13.8 is down 2.6 points per game compared to last season. His player efficiency rating, a stat highly regarded around the league, is 14.6 (15 is considered average), whereas he was at 19.4 last season. His shooting is down in all categories and his fourth quarter free-throw shooting has been hide-your-kids scary (overall, Lawson shoots 60.3 from the line, compared to 82.4 last season. And entering this weekend, Lawson was just 5-for-9 in games five points or closer in the final five minutes).

So how does Lawson start playing at a higher level. Coaching matters. But a lot of it is on Lawson, to truly decide who he wants to be and how much he wants to lead. That means reading shot charts and reading defenses; that means motivating his motor and motivating his teammates.

"He can have an impact every game -- it might not be just scoring, it might be defending, it might be leading," Hunt said. "I love when I see him talking to JaVale (McGee) and some of the young guys and they guys who aren't as experienced. He has a big role for us."

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